Last week the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded nearly $760,000 to three fair housing organizations to assist people in Wisconsin who believe they have been victims of housing discrimination.
“We are pleased to provide the only federal grant support to private fair housing enforcement and education,” said HUDs Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity John Trasviña. “Our local partners are essential to ending housing discrimination.”
“With these grants, our partners in Wisconsin will help HUD ensure the American public has equal access to their dream homes in inclusive communities,” said Antonio R. Riley, HUDs Midwest Regional Administrator.
The competitive grants are funded through HUDs Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), and are part of nearly $41.18 million distributed nationwide to 99 fair housing organizations and other nonprofit agencies in 35 states and the District of Columbia. The grants will be used to enforce the Fair Housing Act through investigation and testing of alleged discriminatory practices, and to educate housing providers, local governments and potential victims of housing discrimination about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. HUD had over $70 million in requests for FHIP, but funded only $41 million. HUD is awarding FHIP grants to the following agencies:
Wisconsin
Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council Milwaukee $311,322.00
Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council Milwaukee $322,629.00
Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council Milwaukee $124,814.00
FHEO and its partners in the Fair Housing Assistance Program investigate more than 9,300 housing discrimination complaints annually. People who believe they are the victims of housing discrimination should contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777 (voice), or (800) 927-9275 (TTY).